ended in defeat for the allies . over 5 @ , @ 000 australians were captured in these campaigns , and the 6th division required a long period of rebuilding before it was again ready for combat . the germans and italians also went on the offensive in north africa at the end of march and drove the commonwealth force there back to near the border with egypt . the 9th division and a brigade of the 7th division were besieged at to ##br ##uk ; successfully defending the key port town until they were replaced by british units in october . during june , the main body of the 7th division , a brigade of the 6th division and the i corps headquarters took part in the
ended in defeat for the allies. over 5 @, @ 000 australians were captured in these campaigns, and the 6th division required a long period of rebuilding before it was again ready for combat. the germans and italians also went on the offensive in north africa at the end of march and drove the commonwealth force there back to near the border with egypt. the 9th division and a brigade of the 7th division were besieged at tobruk ; successfully defending the key port town until they were replaced by british units in october. during june, the main body of the 7th division, a brigade of the 6th division and the i corps headquarters took part in the